Rains Keep River Muddy and Anglers Away
Capt. Sam Williams
February 14, 2013
Lake Eufaula - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Level 190.21 msl
Clarity very muddy
water temperature mid 50's
The constant rains have the river extremely muddy.
The weather has kept us off the river for the time being to give an accurate report as to what the fish are actually doing.
Spring fishing on Lake Eufaula promises to be the hottest in years. The water has been below normal low for nearly two years now. God always has good to show from all things. We are going to benefit from the new growth on all the shore lines and islands exposed during this long period. For those who do not enjoy the deep ledge fishing, look out, there will be bait fish in all these new areas and the bass and other fish will be there eating.
For those who enjoy the ledge fishing, with the loss of the hydrilla over the past couple of years, the old ledge bite is coming back. Last June, during the Lee King Tournament, I had one of our older fishermen tell me he went up river, found one of his old ledge spots and worked it all day, culling fish. The hydrilla took this off the table to a great extent; it became more of a catch one or two and run to the next ledge spot. We got used to finding the fish all stacked up in the old days. Eufaula is coming back the way it used to be. It has always been a good water to fish, in the past few years it took more skill and work but the easy fishing will be back soon.
This spring, the frog and top water shallow bite will be on fire, those who like the soft plastics, Texas or finesse rigs, and the shallow and first drop bite will be on. Jigs are always a good bet to help the anxious fisherman to slow down. Spinner baits and buzz baits are another sure bait to throw on the shallow covered areas. A shallow running crank bait works off the edge of these cover areas. The fluke type baits, either on top or weighted just beneath the surface are another productive tool. When you find dingy water, the chatter bait will draw attention to your lure.
The ledge fishing is a challenge for the fisherman when it comes to locating the correct areas. A good sonar unit is necessary in finding the drops, ledges and brush cover that hold the fish. Also the points under water are good spots to locate in the deep water. Another way to locate these points is to study the tree line coming off the points on land or islands coming into the river or creeks. Where you see the tree tops sloping down towards the water (they look like someone has trimmed the tops like a hedge, slanting down like they are pointing to the water).Watching your sonar, follow this angle into the water and begin crossing back and forth over this area, getting further off shore until you find the point in the deepest water. This is where you will find the fish holding when the sun is high and the temperature is hot. The shallow point is for morning fishing, the fish only move to the first deeper area during the heat. Bass do not travel far as long as they have a food source. Throw your makers on both sides of the point as you move to deeper water, if you mark trash or fish as you go. These are spots to come back to while working this area. The deep points work best when the water is moving.
The ledge fisherman will enjoy getting his favorite deep water arsenal ready for action. The Ledgebuster spinner baits are a favorite, bounced on the drop, work them like a jig. They are flashy and noisy and are a good choice in dirty water. Carolina rigs are good any time; Heavy jigs are good when you need a very slow presentation. Deep running crank baits are also productive. Try to match shape of lure to the bait the bass are feeding on. If you find threadfin shad are the food of choice, the black dot on your bait will draw a strike. I keep a black magic marker in my boat and change any lure when I need to. I do not believe the bass know one color from another, but they do react to the spot and shape when feeding. If the bass like a slow presentation, I will throw the deepest lipped bait I have and roll it slow and it will still reach the depth I need.
When I find feeding fish working the surface, I like to work a lipless crank bait under the school. You will find the bigger, smarter, bass down below waiting on the injured shad. Like humans, they learn to let the youngsters do the heavy work.
With all our creeks and coves, Lake Eufaula offers a safe place to fish in most weather conditions. The creeks offer plenty of fishing waters when the wind gets up and the river is not safe.
When fishing up river, Lake Point has a full marina and food at the lodge. Mid way of the lake ,going South, you can go into Taylor creek and find food and gas and at the dam, George T. Bagby State Park on the Georgia side has a full marina, and food. You can tie up at any of these locations and your boat will be safe.
Please visit wwwleekingbenefit.org and see new new sponsors as well as signing up for the June 7, 2013 event. Tell your bass clubs about us and invite the club members to support our efforts to find a cure for these terminal Niemann-Pick disease children. If your club has buddy tournaments, contact us on how you can do your event and ours at the same time. We will give your weigh master a day off.
God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam
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